Alright, let’s do it. Back on the horse. Typing into the void. For the historical record.
It’s been a few weeks. Some of that was intentional. Some of that was…gestures wildly at everything.
I kind of took the holidays off. Busy family time. Food. Noise. The good stuff. Then the new year rolled in and I meant to come back with something calm and uplifting. Positive. Less “what fresh chaos is coming out of Washington today?” and more “hey, let’s all breathe for a second.”
And then…boom.
The government decided we might annex Venezuela as a 51st state (which is odd, because I thought Canada was already penciled in). ICE shot a woman who was protesting. We’re threatening Iran. Threatening Denmark over Greenland. Floating the idea of charging the Fed Chair with…something? Who knows anymore.
It is so exhausting if I allow it to be. And honestly, it’s all so absurd that my brain just sort of shuts down like, nope, never-mind, not processing this today, let’s take a nap.
So what do I write about to get back into the routine of writing something every day?
Hmm.
How about something fun? Something positive? Something political without being soul-crushing?
Here’s my idea: we should throw parties around voting and democratic holidays.
I’m serious.
Presidents Day. Flag Day. Every single voting day – especially the tiny ones where people say, “Eh, this one doesn’t really matter.” (Spoiler… they all matter.)
I heard a stat the other day that only about a third of eligible voters vote in any election. And of the past three national elections – 2020, 2022 midterms, and 2024 – only about a third of that group voted in all three.
Think about that.
We love to say we’re a country that gets to choose our leaders…while leaving those choices up to a shockingly small group of people.
That’s not a freedom problem. That’s an environment problem.
We need to create an environment that encourages people to want to vote – to make it feel important, communal, even exciting.
So let’s talk it up with family and friends. Let’s grill hot dogs. Let’s put up flags. Let’s tailgate like it’s the SEC Championship but instead of kickoff, it’s casting a ballot.
Make it a big deal. Make it fun. Make it normal.
Because it absolutely matters and if the last few years haven’t driven that point home, I’m not sure what will.
Anyway. That’s what I’ve got today. I’m back. I’m writing again. No annexations planned for tonight – just dinner (Janet made homemade pizza!) and maybe something mindless on TV (I’ve been rewatching “Better Call Saul” and I started watching “The Tinder Swindler” the other day).
Create an environment that allows success to happen.
See you tomorrow.
MattMunnell.com 